Mar 3, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Cody Glass (12) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images | Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
Arseny Gritsyuk, Dougie Hamilton, Cody Glass, Dawson Mercer and Simon Nemec all scored as the Devils took a 5-1 win over the Panthers on Tuesday. [Devils NHL]
Tom Fitzgerald is still running the show this deadline, for some reason:
“On the surface, Hamilton’s 2025-26 season looks like an outright disaster, like the reality has finally caught up with the perception that has always held him back. But a closer look through all of the chaos in New Jersey shows he has the juice to contribute in a top-four capacity.” [The Athletic ($)]
Someone’s likely on the move:
Some interesting tidbits out this morning for the #NJDevils.
Elliotte Friedman reporting that NJ has several defensemen out there, not including Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec, or Brett Pesce.
Chris Johnson reporting that Nick Bjugstad is a likely candidate to get moved again.
A look at potential destinations for Dougie Hamilton, Cody Glass, Jonas Siegenthaler, Dawson Mercer, Evgenii Dadonov and Paul Cotter: [New Jersey Hockey Now]
A signing:
#NEWS: We’ve signed F Matyas Melovsky to a two-year, entry-level contract.
GM’s are describing the NHL landscape as a “buyers market”. Tons of players in play. Keep an eye on the Buffalo Sabres. Sources say talks between Buffalo and St Louis involving Robert Thomas are heating up.
The Blues appear ready to move on from Jordan Binnington. 16 team no trade list is in play but feels like a move is a forgone conclusion at this stage with where @StLouisBlues heading in the near term.
“Some NHL teams told ESPN that they’re frustrated by the impact that the league’s expedited salary cap rules have had ahead of Friday’s trade deadline. The new collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA, which was announced in July, begins Sept. 16. The league, however, moved up a handful of new rules governing the salary cap to the 2025-26 season and only briefed its general managers about those changes last September.” [ESPN]
“‘It’s going be great for the city of Calgary.’ That, from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who landed in the Stampede City Tuesday to get a first-hand look at construction efforts at Scotia Place. Bettman toured the site Tuesday morning and in a media availability Tuesday afternoon at the Scotibank Saddledome, expressed his excitement at the progress being made on Calgary’s new hockey home, slated to open its doors in the fall of 2027.” [NHL Flames]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.
Feb 20, 2026; Sarasota, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso (25) greets shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) before the start of the spring training game against the New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Good Morning Birdland,
The Orioles did play a game on Tuesday, but there are no highlights to share. The game, an exhibition against the Netherlands WBC team, was not broadcast anywhere. As far as I can tell, not even that awkward single camera angle from behind home plate—a trademark of spring games not shown on TV—was available.
All we can go on are first-person accounts and the box score. In that regard, it was not a good day for the Orioles.
Trevor Rogers started. He lasted 2.1 innings while giving up six runs on six hits, a walk, four strikeouts, and two home runs. Despite the ugly line, Rogers was encouraged by the outing, telling the media postgame that he thought he “got some good work out there.” It’s a process.
The Orioles had a rough game in the field. They made four errors, one each by Jeremiah Jackson, Bryan Ramos, Samuel Basallo, and Cobb Hightower. That sloppiness prompted Pete Alonso to call for an infield huddle in the second inning. The veteran slugger urged his teammates to “clean up” and play with more energy. The moment was praised by Rogers and manager Craig Albernaz.
Alonso had himself a fine afternoon. He went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer, just the latest impressive showing in what has been an impact spring for the newcomer.
Other performances of note included a solo homer for Jackson, two RBI for José Barrero, four shutout innings for Dean Kremer, and a two-strikeout inning for Grant Wolfram.
Team USA got its WBC preparations underway as well. They played a game against the Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona, and boy was it a walloping. Team USA prevailed 15-1, compiling 19 hits, eight walks, and 10 strikeouts. Alex Bregman and Roman Anthony both homered.
Gunnar Henderson also got into the game. Even though he did not start, the O’s star still managed to take four trips to the plate. He went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, two runs scored, and two RBI.
The Orioles will play the Astros in Grapefruit League play today at 1 pm ET. Team USA will take on the Rockies at 3:10 pm ET.
Spring training leftovers for breakfast | Roch Kubatko Quotes from all over the organization in this one. It sounds like Albernaz will be trotting out some different names at shortstop while Henderson is with Team USA. The fact that Jackson Holliday is also hurt does make this a bit tricky. They need to enter the season with a backup at the position, and right now it is not exactly clear who that would be.
Richard Rodríguez is 36 years old. He pitched in five games for the 2017 Orioles.
Nerio Rodríguez is 55 today. From 1996-98, he made 20 total appearances for the O’s, mostly as a relief option.
Jack Fisher celebrates his 87th birthday. The right-handed pitcher had a four-year stint in Baltimore from 1959 through ‘62. Over 634.1 total innings with the Orioles he had a 3.92 ERA and 1.8 bWAR.
The late Bob Johnson (b. 1936, d. 2019) was born on this day. He spent five seasons on the Orioles infield from 1963-67. During those five years he played all four infield positions, accumulated 3.1 bWAR, and an 87 OPS+.
This day in O’s history
Not much has happened in Orioles history on this date, according to Baseball Reference. So here are a few happenings from beyond Birdland:
1913 – The United States Department of Labor is formed.
1917 – Jeanette Rankin of Montana becomes the first female member of the United States House of Representatives
1918 – A case of influenza is recorded at Camp Fusion, Kansas, considered the beginning of the worldwide Spanish flu pandemic.
1933 – Frances Perkins becomes the first female member of the United States Cabinet. She is confirmed as Secretary of Labor and sworn in the same day.
1955 – An order to protect the endangered Saimaa ringed seal is legalized.
1957 – The S&P 500 stock market index is introduced, replacing the S&P 90.
1966 – In an interview with the London Evening Standard, John Lennon declares that The Beatles are “more popular than Jesus now.”
2020 – Nik Wallenda becomes the first person to walk over the Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 02: Johan Rojas #18 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a bunt single against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field on July 02, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths.
“Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire.
Today in baseball history:
1884 – National League owners agree to provide two separate team benches to minimize fraternizing among opposing players during games. (2)
1907 – A judgment of $52,000 is awarded to the Baltimore club from Brooklyn. When Baltimore left the National League in 1900, Brooklyn agreed to pay $40,000 for the franchise but never did. The award includes interest. (1,2)
1943 – The woeful Philadelphia Phillies announce their new nickname – the Blue Jays. The winning entry in the contest was submitted by a Mrs. Elizabeth Crooks, and was chosen over a number of names ranging from Daisies to Stinkers. Team president Bob Carpenter says he hopes to have the farm system identified by the same blue color, with the Wilmington club called the Blue Rocks and possibly the new Bradford team as the Blue Wings. The Blue Jays will be the official team name in 1943 and 1944, but will be abandoned in 1945, though the team will still occasionally be referred to in newspaper accounts as the Blue Jays through 1949. Ms. Crooks wins a $100 war bond and a season ticket to the Blue Jays. (2)
Some of these items spread from site to site without being fact-checked, and that is why we ask for verifiable sources, in order to help correct the record.
Medvedev and Rublev both miss pre-event exhibition
Challenger event in Dubai cancelled over security alert
The Russian tennis players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev did not arrive at Indian Wells in time to participate in Tuesday night’s southern California exhibition event after they were among those affected by travel disruptions caused by the war on Iran.
The US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran over the weekend and the conflict has led to airspace closures and widespread flight cancellations across parts of the Gulf, disrupting a key transit hub.
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Top-ranked tennis player Aryna Sabalenka has announced her engagement to Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis.
Sabalenka posted a video of the proposal on Instagram, accompanied with the words “You & me, forever” along with a ring and heart emoji.
The news quickly drew congratulations from fellow tennis players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Amanda Anisimova, a possible opponent for Sabalenka in the quarterfinals at the forthcoming Indian Wells tournament in the Southern California desert.
The tournament that opens on Wednesday will be Sabalenka's first since she reached the final at the Australian Open, where she lost to Elena Rybakina 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 on Jan 31.
Pioneering baseball executive Grace Comiskey formally took over the White Sox on this day, 85 years ago.
1921 In the wake of the Black Sox, fortunes were going to turn hard against the fortunes of the South Siders — but don’t blame future Hall-of-Famer Harry Hooper. Charles Comiskey attempted to rebuild his team, making the acquisition of Hooper from the Red Sox as a cornerstone move.
The trade didn’t prevent the three-decade fall to come, but was a big win for the White Sox. Hooper, 33, still had five strong seasons in him, cementing the Hall case he built for himself in Boston. All told, Hooper was a .302/.383/.436 hitter in Chicago, good for 14.9 WAR total and 4.8 WAR in the penultimate season of his career. He was also a solid fielder, leading the AL in 1922 with 19 assists and 289 putouts.
Comiskey dealt two players, John “Shano” Collins and Harry “Nemo” Leibold, for Hooper, and neither would haunt the South Side. Both players, like Hooper, were active for five more seasons; however, Collins was washed (-3.3 WAR in that time) and Leibold was only about a third as effective as Hooper per WAR.
1941 Daughter-in-law of team founder Charles Comiskey and widow of Louis Comiskey, Grace Comiskey was formally elected as team president by the White Sox board of directors, with daughter Dorothy installed as team secretary. With the move, Grace became the first team president in American League history, and would hold the role until her death in 1956.
1994 Basketball superstar Michael Jordan, who retired in October 1993 from the Chicago Bulls, made his Spring Training debut in a White Sox uniform. He played in his first game at the major league level against the Rangers in Sarasota. Facing lefthander Darren Oliver, Jordan tapped back to the mound and was tagged out by the pitcher.
Jordan collected his first Spring Training hit on March 14 against the Twins, a single off of pitcher Jeff Innes.
2011 After an unprecedented lat surgery, Jake Peavy returned to the mound to start a White Sox spring training game at the Angels.
The righthander threw just 26 pitches (16 for strikes) over two innings, allowing one walk and striking out two. It was Peavy’s first appearance on a mound since July 6, 2010. His hitless effort stretched the White Sox rotation’s streak to start the spring to 10 innings.
A fella named Brett Ballantini, then the CSN Chicago White Sox beat reporter and at the moment something else, was unable to get a wifi signal on press row and thus covered “Peavy Watch” and the game using his Blackberry from the roof of Tempe Diablo Stadium. It was there he caught the first foul ball of his life, from an Angels batter during Peavy’s outing — which happened to fall on the writer’s 42nd birthday.
The White Sox dropped the contest, 3-1.
2013 José Abreu’s grand slam paced a Team Cuba rout of China, 12-0, in the World Baseball Classic, in a game that ended early due to the mercy rule. Eight months later, Abreu signed with the White Sox.
The Boilermakers and Cyclones aren't the only ones who have seen their NCAA Tournament picture take a hit of late, as the bubble continues to move like a revolving door.
Conference tournaments have already started at the mid-major level, with the Horizon League the first to begin on Monday, Feb. 2. The first automatic bid to March Madness will be secured on Saturday, March 7 with the winner of the Ohio Valley Conference.
The Big East and power conference tournaments begin next week. Here's a look at the full 2026 NCAA Tournament schedule for men's college basketball:
When is Selection Sunday for March Madness?
Selection Sunday for the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament is set for Sunday, March 15 at 6 p.m. ET, or immediately following the final championship game of the day. The unveiling of the 68-team bracket will take place after all conference tournament championship games are completed.
When does March Madness begin?
March Madness gets going on Tuesday, March 17 in Dayton, Ohio, at UD Arena with the First Four. The final 64-team bracket will then officially get underway with first-round games two days later on Thursday, March 19.
When is the Final Four?
The Final Four for the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament will take place over Saturday, April 4 and Monday, April 6 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. The national semifinals will tip off at 6 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. ET on April 4, while the national championship will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET on April 7.
Complete March Madness 2026 schedule
Here’s a rundown of the schedule for the 2026 NCAA men's tournament:
First Four: March 17-18
First round: March 19-20
Second round: March 21-22
Sweet 16: March 26-27
Elite Eight: March 28-29
Final Four: Saturday, April 4 (at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis)
National championship game: Monday, April 6 (at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis)
Feb 25, 2026; North Port, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) throws a pitch in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Pirates fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Bucs are sitting at 9-2 in Grapefruit League action. Their offensive production is up, while the pitching is still performing how we’d like them to. So what we want to know is, based upon the Bucs hot start, are you any more excited for the start of the MLB season? You can also pick less excited or no change. Spring can be a hard time to get a full evaluation, as plenty of guys are playing that won’t see the light of day once the regular season gets going.
Cast your vote, tell us in the comments, and we’ll be back soon with the results.
It is March and conference tournaments are around the corner.
In just over a week, it will be Selection Sunday for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, meaning college basketball fans are on the cusp of seeing the most exciting time of the sports calendar. Automatic bids for March Madness will start to be earned as soon as this weekend.
However, while some programs have already likely punched their ticket for the Big Dance as "locks" for the NCAA Tournament with resumes that cannot be denied, others are using this week and conference championship week as a last ditch effort to build their resumes.
Of course, nothing makes that sweeter than trying to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, while concluding your season against a bitter rival. Ask Kentucky fans, as they are still very much on the bubble, but will have to travel to Gainesville, Florida, for a matchup against the Gators.
Or Auburn fans, who have seen their team meltdown have to secure a spot in the Iron Bowl of basketball against Alabama.
Here's a look at the latest NCAA Tournament preview, including bubble teams and locks to reach March Madness:
March Madness bracket bubble watch tracker
March Madness locks
Based on games through Tuesday, March 3
Big Ten (7): Michigan, Illinois, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin
Just as was the case a week ago, thirty teams entered play on Tuesday, March 2, with a 99.8% chance or better to reach the Tournament, according to Bart Torvik's "TourneyCast." While significant games were played in the last week, the locks did not see any new teams climb into this category.
Torvik's metrics are used in the NCAA's BPI equation, alongside third-party analyst Ken Pomeroy, also referenced as KenPom by college basketball fans.
NCAA Tournament likely ins
Big 12(1): UCF
Big Ten (2): Indiana, UCLA
ACC(2): SMU, Miami,
SEC (4): Kentucky, Texas A&M, Texas, Georgia
Big East(0): N/A
Other(2): Saint Mary's, New Mexico
Entering the final week of the regular season, these are the teams that are "likely in" and have between a 70% and 98.9% chance to reach the NCAA Tournament, per Torvik.
Other(6): LIU, Howard, Santa Clara, San Diego State, UMBC, Miami (Ohio)
The three teams that are headed in the wrong direction in their chances of making the NCAA Tournament are Auburn, USC and San Diego State. The Tigers are 1-7 their last eight games and USC's five-game losing streak puts them in more danger of missing the tournament now than they have been in previous weeks. Both likely need a deep run in their respective conference tournaments.
Meanwhile, Missouri and TCU are two teams that have helped their own cause over the last week to position themselves for a potential spot in the tournament.
NORTH PORT, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Jurickson Profar #17 of the Atlanta Braves poses for a photo during Spring Training photo day at CoolToday Park on February 20, 2026 in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The big MLB news yesterday centered on drug suspensions, as two NL Easy players were reportedly linked to PEDs. The Phillies’ Johan Rojas was in the second case of the day, but the first was far more prominent: the Braves’ Jurickson Profar.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because the exact same thing happened to Profar last spring during the first season of his three-year deal with Atlanta. That was an 80-game ban, but this is a full-season penalty. Although Profar is appealing, it sure seems likely that his Braves career is going to go down in the books of infamy — if not only for its darkly comedic nature. How much is he actually going to end up playing with Atlanta on this contract anyway? Also, Profar was about half an hour away from leading off a Netherlands WBC exhibition game against the Orioles when the news dropped. Naturally, his hasty replacement (Ray-Patrick Didder) clubbed a leadoff homer. Oh, baseball.
So Profar’s suspension got us thinking about past PED cases in MLB history. Obviously this one doesn’t apply because Profar was just penalized last year, but which player was involved in MLB’s most surprising PED controversy from the past? You can go back as far as you’d like, whether a suspension policy was in play or not. Alex Rodriguez’s first scandal could apply, though the second with Biogenesis, which banged his 2014 season, was less of a shock (though more salacious). Maybe you were taken aback by Robinson Canó’s suspensions that derailed his possible Hall of Fame track. Andy Pettitte’s HGH ties currently qualify under the “bummer” category. If you’re just looking at body type, it is still odd to consider that string bean Dee Strange-Gordon got a suspension in 2016.
I think my gut answer would be one of the first players suspended for PEDs, Rafael Palmeiro. The policy was new in 2005 and Palmeiro emphatically testified before Congress amid its overall MLB investigation. He wagged his finger and insisted that he never used. Impressionable teenager that I was, I believed him, especially because it’s not as though accuser José Canseco seemed 100-percent reliable. So I cheered when Raffy joined the 3,000 Hit Club that July for Baltimore. Since he also had 500 homers, he was a lock for Cooperstown … until he got hit with a PED suspension less than a month later. Holy moly, that was a time. He denied it furiously (still does to this day), implicated a teammate, wore earplugs once after returning from suspension because Toronto was booing him so loudly, and saw his 20-year career end with a whimper with the O’s sending him home by September. Yeesh.
So that’s my answer. What’s yours?
Today on the site, Matt will continue our World Baseball Classic preview* by diving into Pool C, which is led by Shohei Ohtani’s defending champion Japan. Jonathan will consider the context of Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s big contract request with a comparison discussion, Sam will preview Clarke Schmidt’s comeback effort from July 2025 Tommy John surgery, Estevão will celebrate the birthday of a long-ago Bay Area baseball star who wore the pinstripes before Joe DiMaggio, and after the spring training game, John will mull over the division rival Rays and if they have any more surprises in store for 2026.
*By the way, the WBC formally begins tonight! Pool C will kick it off from Tokyo, where Australia and Chinese Taipei will square off at 10pm ET (it’s noon local on March 5th).
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 and Jaylon Tyson #20 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you stop Cade Cunningham, you’ll stop the Pistons. Head coach Kenny Atkinson called defending Cunningham “the key to the game,” and understandably so.
Cunningham was effective as a playmaker with 14 assists, but was held to just 10 points on 4-16 shooting with five turnovers. This led to his team losing the minutes he was on the floor by 11.
Cleveland slowed Cunningham down without the services of Dean Wade, which makes it even more impressive. Jaylon Tyson and Keon Ellis stepped up in this matchup. They both were effective picking up in the backcourt and were physical at the point of attack. It also helped that the rest of the defense was able to sell out to make him uncomfortable.
Cleveland never allowed Cunningham to finish over just one defender in the paint. That led to most of their success on that end.
The Cavs’ defensive strategy was clear; they were only worried about stopping Cunningham.
“It’s hard for coaches because you got to pick your poison,” Atkinson said before the game. “Do you want Cade Cunningham shooting? Or do you want X, Y, or Z shooting?”
Atkinson didn’t name names before the game, but it was clear who “X, Y, and Z” were afterward.
The Cavs weren’t concerned about players like Ausar Thompson or Tobias Harris offensively when they were on the floor with Cunningham. They were willing to cheat off them as much as possible if it meant being able to send an extra body Cunningham’s way.
And on this night, it worked. Just look at this play below. The Cavs truly didn’t care if Thompson and Harris were open on the strongside. And with the game on the line, Cunningham didn’t either.
Conversely, the Cavs’ role players are what won them the game. Dennis Schroder once again provided key scoring off the bench, Craig Porter Jr. was effective on the glass, Ellis was everywhere defensively, and Thomas Bryant filled in well for Jarrett Allen — who left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury.
More than that, the guy Atkinson has called “the ultimate role player,” Jaylon Tyson, lived up to the billing. He provided great defense on Cunningham on one end, and outscored him on the other as he put up 22 points on 5-12 shooting from three.
It can’t be emphasized enough how much Tyson has bought into being a role player. He has the skills and talent of an on-ball creator, but isn’t asked to do that on a team with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. And instead of trying to force it, he’s become someone who does nearly all of their damage off the ball, in support of the stars around him.
That doesn’t sound like much, but Tyson’s willingness to shift his style of play this drastically from college a few years ago is a transition that not many in his position have easily made.
Many role players now in the league have been groomed to play in a certain mold, which likely isn’t in their long-term best interest. The often talked about three-and-D shooters are an archetype that skyrocket up draft boards or are coveted in free agency, but the ones who are actually the best in that role do much more than just play defense and shoot threes. Basketball will always reward the players who can do multiple things once the ball is in their hands.
Tyson can do that. He processes the game at a high level, coming up as more of a primary scorer. He can run pick-and-rolls, attack the second side, and make quick decisions out of the short roll. Layer in becoming a lethal catch-and-shoot threat, and you have the makings of an indispensable glue guy.
The most exciting part about Tyson is that buying into this role will help him in every context he will be placed in throughout his career. You don’t want to put a limit on someone of Tyson’s skills. It’s not inconceivable that he continues to grow as a scorer and becomes a first or second option on a team down the line. But even if he does develop that way, he will still need to play off of other varied teammates. With the skillset he’s cultivated, he can easily do that.
All the while, playing this way doesn’t put a cap on who he is. The Cavs haven’t tried to put Tyson into a box. They’ve allowed him to expand his game in ways that make sense for him and the team, and he’s continually taken advantage of it.
The Cavs are a tough matchup for the Pistons, even with just one of their two star guards back in the lineup.
Harden wasn’t great by his standards on Tuesday. He provided 18 points on 5-17 shooting and turned it over five times. The lack of ball security is uncharacteristic for him. But just having someone who could command defensive attention and run the pick-and-roll besides Schroder made a huge difference.
Detroit has continually struggled to contain Cleveland’s bigs. Allen had a major effect on this game before he left with a knee injury, and Evan Mobley was once again able to get where he wanted inside. This has been a trend throughout the four games this season.
The Cavaliers aren’t a finished product. Atkinson said after the game that this wasn’t “perfect by any means,” and he’s correct. They were forced to run some weird guard lineups, given they were down two of their three starting forwards for a chunk of this game. But this is the second time in a row they’ve outplayed the Pistons in drastically different ways. And both of those games came without the Cavs’ best player, Mitchell.
The Pistons are a good team, but so far, they haven’t been able to enforce their style of play against the Cavs. They weren’t able to change the game with their offensive rebounding and creating turnovers. And Cleveland has made it difficult for their best player.
There are real concerns about whether Detroit’s style can translate to the playoffs, specifically, in a potential series with the Cavs. You don’t want to read too much into regular-season games, but at the same time, there are plenty of reasons why the Cavs should feel confident if they met in the playoffs.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 3: Casey Mittelstadt #11 of the Boston Bruins scores against Stuart Skinner #74 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the TD Garden on March 3, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here are your Pens Points for this Wednesday morning…
The Pittsburgh Penguins shipped up to Boston on Tuesday night. The Penguins fell 2-1 to the B’s after taking an early lead from an Erik Karlsson goal but surrendering two fast first-period goals, and despite late pressure, they couldn’t find the equalizer. Next up is Buffalo on Thursday night. [Recap]
Most Penguins fans would likely agree that their team has sort of flown under the radar for much of the 2025-26 season, and many national pundits have seemed surprised at Pittsburgh’s success thus far, despite strong statistical outputs and elevated play. Why is that? Perhaps because of originally low preseason expectations and a recent lack of playoff success. [PensBurgh]
News and updates from around the NHL…
The NHL is closing in on naming a host city for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, but commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday that a decision isn’t ready yet and could come in the next few weeks as the league reviews submitted bids. [Sportsnet]
The Buffalo Sabres are buyers?! It appears so. Talks are rapidly progressing between the Sabres and St. Louis Blues involving forward Robert Thomas, according to a report from NHL insider Darren Dreger. [TSN]
Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk, who is signed through the 2030-31 season at a cap hit of $5.5 million, said he isn’t comfortable being part of the team’s rebuild. While there have been no reported interested buyers, he and a few other Canuck players are names to watch ahead of Friday’s trade deadline. [TSN]
Gonna be a lot of orange tonight. | NHLI via Getty Images
The Islanders and their five-game win streak touched down in California and got their skating legs going at practice Tuesday. A back-to-back begins tonight in Anaheim, which will be playing its own back-to-back after losing at home last night to the Avalanche.
After an orange-heavy kickoff, this trip includes Los Angeles tomorrow and San Jose on Saturday before concluding next week in St. Louis, where the Blues sound on the verge of a big sellof.
Practice updates: David Rittich will get his second consecutive start, and Ryan Pulock took a maintenance day and is a question mark along with (still) Jonathan Drouin. [Isles | Post]
Previewing tonight: The Ducks just had their five-game win streak cut by Colorado, but they remain in second in the Pacific. [Isles]
Andrew Gross on trade deadline targets (Conor Garland?) and UFAs who’ve made cases not to be sold. [Newsday]
Hear more of that in podcast form at Island Ice. [SoundCloud]
Mat Barzal’s game and maturity has evolved as he approaches 600 games. [Post]
Alex Jefferies discusses his path to the AHL, where Bridgeport is having its best season in a while. [Isles]
Elsewhere
Last night’s scores were many, including Pittsburgh losing in regulation, Columbus winning — and of note, the Devils may have just finished off the Panthers.
The Predators selloff has begun…sort of? They dealt Michael McCarron (to Minnesota) and Cole Smith (to Vegas) for picks. [NHL]
The Flyers are still firmly rebuilding and not shopping for any rentals. [NHL]
Oilers management sounds aware (but helpless to fix?) that the team’s overall defense needs work. [Sportsnet]
